The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-04
INQUIRING INTO WALLACE'S DEATH.
The Insane Hospital Physicians Testify That
He Received Kind and Careful Treatment.

Coroner Wagner has about completed the tax
ing of testimony in relation to the treatment of
Joseph Wallace the patient, ct the Hospital for
the Insane, who died few DAYS ago under cir
cumstances regarded by his relatives as some
what suspicious. Yesterday the testimony of
Superintendent Fletcher Drs. Thomas and
Browning. and William P. Wallace, a brother of
the deceased, taken. Superintendent
Fletcher testified that he saw Wallace four
times during his stay at the hos
pital, each time Sunday. He al
ways found him under the dslusion
that his body was drawn out to such length that
he could not go through door. He was always
found lying down. and seemed docile. George
Wallace, the superintendent said, visited the
patient once week. On his second visit he re-
ported that he found Joe with bruise on his
head. 'He wished me-" said the superintendent
''to examine into the cause. / examined the re-
port of the attendant and found 70 INCEPTION
Of it. I told him if it had been of an
important nature it would have been
reported. On the day. DR.. Browning.
the attending physician. reported that there
one in the room with Wallace at the time the
injury occurred" The superintendent further
said that George Wallace, in his visits to the
hospital, invariably expressed himself as we'll
pleased with the treatment his brother was re-
ceiving In concluding his testimony, Dr.
Fletcher said he had never ordered any special
diets or drink for Wallace.
DR.. Thomass testimony was to the effect that
when he first Wallace he was suffering from
tuberculosis. his right lung being most seriously
affected. He never saw any bruises on his body.
The patient, he thought, was given all the care
and attention possible.
William 2. Wallace brother of the deceased,
stated that he brought his brother from Yank-
ton. d. IT.. about June l. 1887 He appeared to
be in good condition physically at that time.
he was very weak in his legs. The first time
the witness saw him the hospital he was
locked in a room. and the attendant said it
because he could not get his clothing on him.
Il him alone several times" con-
tnued Mr. Wallace, land he never said any
thing to me about being mistreated. The last
time l saw him he had several bruises his
face. |. asked him how he received them. and
he said he had no bruises. 1 have no reason
believe that he was in any way mistreated while
at the asylum"
Dr. Browning who attended the deceased
while he was confined in the institution was ex-
amined by DIR. Wagner last night. He said that
he saw the patient often four times
day while he was at the hospital, excepting
the six days before his death He had
known Wallace for ten years or more, and
when no was committed to the institution
he had him placed in a ward with two male
and one female attendant. because he knew they
were attendants who never mistreated pa
tient. He made examination of Wallace
when be was received. and found bruises on his
body. With reference to the injuries
the patient received at the institution,
DR.. Browning said that they were self